Traffic Funding: Long Beach Police Secure $401,000 Grant
California officials awarded the Long Beach Police Department funds for DUI checkpoints, distracted driving patrols, and community safety education.
By Grace Sullivan ·
The Long Beach Police Department will spend $401,000 on aggressive traffic enforcement and public education to cut down on serious injuries and deaths on local roads. The funding arrives from the California Office of Traffic Safety and targets specific driving behaviors that frequently lead to collisions.
The money is not new. It flows from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the state office. Police leadership confirmed the grant covers a multi-year period ending in September 2027. This timeline gives the department ample time to implement and measure the impact of their new initiatives.
Officers will use the funds to increase high-visibility patrols. Their focus will include DUI checkpoints aimed at catching impaired drivers. They will also enforce the state’s hands-free cell phone law to catch distracted drivers. Additional operations will target speeding, failure to yield, and improper lane changes.
Sgt. M. Valenzuela stated that the grant strengthens the department’s ability to detect impairment. He noted that the strategy combines strict enforcement with community presentations on bicycle and pedestrian safety. The goal is to make roads safer for all users.
Stephanie Dougherty, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety, emphasized the cultural shift the program aims to create. She said the agency encourages people to prioritize safety in daily choices. The department will also use the funds for officer training and recertification in detecting impairment levels.
